Okura Shukokan Museum – The Okura Shukokan Museum -- currently closed for renovations -- became Japan's first private art museum in 1917 but was destroyed in an earthquake in 1923. Located in front of the hotel's main building, it was restored by architect Chuta Ito and now houses three national treasures and 12 important cultural properties.

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Hotel Okura Tokyo11 photos

Bar Highlander – Okura Hotel's Bar Highlander whiskey lounge serves cocktails that have long fallen out of favor elsewhere in the world.

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Hotel Okura Tokyo11 photos

Yep, this is Tokyo – Hotel Okura's outdoor swimming pool was designed by sculptor Tsutomu Hiroi to be an oasis within the bustling city of Tokyo.

South wing – Added in 1973, Hotel Okura's south wing will remain open during renovations. Its interior is meant to showcase the beauty of Japanese design -- the lobby features a flock of ceramic mosaic birds.

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Kyokusui Japanese garden – The design of the Kyokusui Japanese Garden is based on ancient traditions.

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Story highlights

Main building of Tokyo's Hotel Okura will be torn down to make way for a bigger hotel in advance of 2020 Olympics

Built in 1962, Hotel Okura has remained largely untouched over more than five decades

If you've never been to Tokyo's Hotel Okura, you're missing out on one of the true accommodation stars of Asia -- a beautiful time capsule of a hotel that glorifies the design and service of Japan in the 1960s.